The Inferno Dominion

A collection of established information on The Inferno Dominion, home to the Flame Demons. Subject to change as more information becomes public.

The World:

• The Inferno Dominion is home to the Z'Thalnesse, or as the humans often call them, the Flame Demons.

• It is known for being very inhospitable; with rocky and rough terrain, unpredictable weather (wind storms, haze storms, frequent lightning, and violent hail storms, to name a few), and dangerous wildlife. The True Wilds are especially dangerous, consisting of all the land that is uninhabited outside the city walls. Those that venture out there very rarely return.

• Of the True Wilds, the most dangerous and inhospitable area is The Wastelands. There are no cities in the Wastelands, and even the hardiest of wildlife are incapable of surviving there. There are rumors that the god Va'eral makes his home there.

• There is a very large swath of land that spans the world called The Scorched Fields. The Scorched Fields are said to be a direct result of the god Felz burning the land in a rage. The area has little vegetation, and the land consists primarily of a thick layer of ash.

• The Inferno Dominion has two suns, one significantly larger than the other. It's rare for both to be fully risen or fully set at the same time; this, in combination with the planet's thick atmosphere, causes much of the Inferno Dominion to often be in a state of perpetual dusk.

• The only populated locations are the cities--large (almost province-like) walled civilizations that are governed by the De'rvan. Travel between cities is difficult; travelers need to stay on the patrolled roads, and an armed guard is recommended as well. If a traveler leaves the main roads, they are risking severe injury and death.

The Cities:

• The Inferno Dominion consists of 13 very large, walled "cities". While they are called cities, they are in fact much more similar to states or provinces. Each used to be their own civilization, prior to being unified under one leader after "The Binding War".

• The total population of all the cities combined comes to approximately 4 million people, with the capital, Sa'artaz, being the most densely populated.

• Because arranging for a summoning is impossible for most people (it takes a great deal of training to be able to perform a safe summoning within the Inferno Dominion, and hiring someone to do it is extremely expensive), the only option for inter-city travel is through the use of the patrolled roads. However, even this method of travel is expensive and takes an immense amount of time, so most people never leave the city they were born in.

• Each city is typically governed by one family of De'rvan, with many De'rthal supporting them. There are exceptions, though, with some cities being governed by multiple De'rvan families.

• The city centers are considered to be the safest areas of each city, so they are primarily occupied by noble families, wealthy merchants, famous artisans, and those that have managed to gain favor with the nobility.

• The areas closer to the city walls are much more wild; they are more sparsely populated, have more dangerous wildlife, and overall have much less between them and the True Wilds.

• Each city tends to be most densely populated at the center and become more rural and isolated as you get closer to the walls.

The Z'Thalnesse:

• On average, the Z'Thalnesse (Flame Demons) live to be approximately 800 years old, with the oldest known Flame Demon on record as having lived to over 2000 years old.

• They reach their age of maturity (adulthood) once they've passed their Felzadde Trials. These trials vary from region to region, with some regions forgoing them entirely, but most trials involve a dangerous or difficult situation that the young must navigate. Successfully surviving/completing their trial graduates them from their youth to adulthood.

• Most reach their age of maturity between the ages of 40 and 50.

• They are believed to be the original source of Fire Elemental Sorcerers' powers.

• They, like humanity, have also been influenced by the Crosspoints leaking into their reality and as a result also have a population similar to the Attuned. These people are typically referred to as Fragmented. Despite what the name may imply, this is not considered an insult. (Dion is Fragmented with his ability to alter his appearance. Kane is Fragmented as well, but his ability has yet to be disclosed.)

• Contracts are similar to a form of currency in the Inferno Dominion, and high-value contracts bring higher social status. Those that come from the most prestigious and noble families are notoriously selective in what contracts they accept, and often hire others to take contracts on their behalf so as to not debase themselves.

Physical Traits:

• The Z'Thalnesse are known for their horns protruding from their heads, but the appearance of these horns depends on the region and family history.

• Almost all adults have tattoo-like markings on their bodies that have been sealed in with flame. These unique markings are given after successfully completing the Felzadde Trials, so it's considered strange for someone of "typical adult age" to not have any.

Common Behavioral Traits:

• The Z'Thalnesse (Flame Demons) tend to be a proud population of people, with a strong belief in the preservation of their history. They are renowned merchants, with a strong emphasis on bargaining and charisma.

• In general, the average Flame Demon is ambivalent; they are neither malicious nor inclined to lend aid to other beings without payment or reward. However, they are also known for their "Fiery" personalities (no pun intended) and can be viciously vindictive when they feel they've been wronged or cheated.

The Culture:

Summonings/Contracts:

• Not all Flame Demons are able to be summoned/perform contracts, and very few that can be summoned have a unique summoning symbol of their own.

• When receiving a summoning, Flame Demons are able to gain a sense of what the contract might entail, and are then able to decide if they feel accepting the summoning is worth it. If they accept the summoning, they are teleported directly to the summoner, form an immediate mental tether that allows them to understand the summoner's language/method of communication, and can then fully accept the contract.

• What a Flame Demon can do for their contract is up to their own discretion, there are few regulations regarding what they can or cannot do for their summoner outside the Inferno Dominion. However, there are certain topics that are not permitted to be discussed, and any contracts that directly involve the Inferno Dominion or its people are strictly regulated.

• With training, a Flame Demon can also form a tether with another being without forming a contract, although this tether is more easily broken, and only has the benefit of sharing language.

**More info to be revealed

Relationship to Humanity:

• Humans have historically been a significant source of contracts for Flame Demons.

• While humans are not the only ones to summon Flame Demons, they do tend to be the most frequent summoners.

• However, it is uncommon for a contract with a human to be considered "high-value," so most often it is a demon of lower rank and standing that accepts their contracts.

Relationship to Ice Demons:

• Flame Demons and the Ice Demons of Crystallis have historically had a tumultuous relationship. Many wars, conflicts, and clashing political systems have led to a build-up of animosity on both sides.

• Travel between the two realities is common when they are not at war with each other, and due to their similar physical constitutions, both groups find it relatively easy to spend extended periods of time in the other's world.

• Rebellious Flame Demons often blame Ice Demons for the struggles that come from the current Sa'arthen monarchy system, due to their influence in its implementation after the Binding War.

The Binding War:

(Also sometimes referred to by Z'Thal historians as "The Sa'ar's War", "The 1000 Year Conflict", and "The Frozen Coup")

• A highly impactful, long lasting war that resulted in the establishment of the Sa'arthen system and the unification of the cities.

**More info to be added as storylines progress

Language:

• While there is technically one common language used in the Inferno Dominion, there are numerous dialects spoken. Even within individual cities there can be a wide variety of regional dialects and pronunciations.

• The examples given here will all be in the "official" Sa'artaz/Royal City Dialect, as that is how both Dion and Kane (And most nobles in the north-eastern regions) speak.

**More will be added to all language categories in the future

Titles/Ranks + Their (Approximate) English equivalents:

All titles used by the Z'Thalnesse are gender neutral, gendered language in general is rarely used

Royalty

• Sa'arthen - King/Queen, Ruler

• Sa'ar - Prince/Princess; used for all members of the Sa'arthen's immediate circle (siblings, offspring, their spouse [Or spouses] if they have one)

Nobles

• De'rvan - High Lord/Lady; the highest nobility, hold significant power, are the governors of their individual "cities" and answer to the Sa'arthen

• De'rthal - Lord/Lady; of noble standing but have little sway over the affairs of their region

Words/Phrases + Their (Approximate) equivalents:

Gods below; gods around us - Oh my god, god knows, etc.

Not even Stevva can help you; Stevva's light missed you - You're an idiot

Z'Thalnesse / Z'Thal - Flame Demons

Serva - Love; both a strong term of endearment and the literal word for love

Vasserva - A term of endearment? (More info to be revealed)

Re'anbas - Beauty. It means. Beauty.

Sortem - Do you understand? (Formal)

Sem - Got it? (Informal)

Stav - Of course (Sarcastic, exasperated)

Talu'un - Uninjured

Wildlife:

Loturim (Ash-Vaulters) - A large creature native to the Eastern regions of the Scorched fields. Their appearance is similar to a somewhat reptilian ostrich. In the wild they use their wide-set, taloned feet to easily sprint across the ash-covered terrain to catch their prey. Because of their long, powerful legs (with running speeds of up to 60 mph/96 kph) and their high endurance and stamina, the loturim are frequently used as a method of transportation across long distances.

**More to be added later

The Gods:

• The Old Gods are considered very personal and sacred to the Z'Thalnesse. It's taboo to speak of them lightly, even more so to speak of them to outsiders. This is why humans have not been given much information about the Flame Demons' gods. They also don't often speak of the New Gods freely, but it is considered slightly less taboo.

• Different regions tend to worship some gods more than others, usually relating to the lifestyle of that region's people.

• There are numerous other, smaller, deities that are served/worshiped in specific regions, but none are considered as powerful as The Old and New Gods.

The Major/Old Gods:

Sa'arkam - God of The Inner Flame, Life
Non-gendered

• Considered to be the one to birth the Z'Thalnesse.

• Had been ostracized by many of the other gods and grew discontent with not being taken seriously. Created the Z'Thalnesse as a way to be worshiped and as a way to show their power to the other gods. This began the eternal feud between them and their lover, Da'ans. 

Da'ans - God of Death, Darkness
Feminine

• Consumes the Inner Flame (Life).

• Her and Sa'arkam were lovers, but when they created the Z'Thalnesse she became incredibly angry. 

• She said it was cruel to force such fragile life to exist where none was meant to be, and that they were creating them out of malice against the other gods, rather out of care and love.

• She declared that she would forever follow their creations to free them of the burden of life, always the shadow behind the flame. They've been in a constant battle ever since.

Stevva - God of Wisdom, Ingenuity
Feminine

• Has devoted herself to the pursuit of knowledge.

• After the creation of the Z'Thalnesse she desired to share her knowledge with them, and birthed her twin daughters to do so.

Felz - God of War, Battle, Revenge, Childhood Survival
Feminine

• Patron of coming-of-age.

• Quick to anger, and is know for blazing the land in fits of fury. If angered, it is nearly impossible to return to her good-favor. She is honorable in her battles, though, and will not directly target those that have done her no wrong. 

Servassa - God of Love, Hatred
Masculine

• There are many legends about Servassa's influence (both good and bad) on the relationships of the Flame Demons.

• It is said that adversities and troubles in a relationship that are out of the partners' control are a direct result of him testing their bonds.

• In some regions people will go through trials to prove to Servassa that they are devoted to their partner(s), in hopes that he will then leave them alone.

The Minor/New Gods:

Oze - God of Speech, Language in All Forms
Feminine

• First daughter of Stevva, older twin of Kanes.

• Born with her twin as a result of Stevva's desire to share knowledge

Kanes - God of Music/Performances, Visual Arts
Feminine

• Second daughter of Stevva, younger twin of Oze.

• Patron of the arts.

Mertu'un - God of Feasts, Hunting, The Barren Fields
Masculine

• Born from the aftermath of Felz burning the land in a rage.

• Patron of travel.

• Must be on his good side before leaving the cities, or suffer the consequences.

Re'an - God of Lust, Fertility, Social Prowess
Non-gendered

• Only child of Servassa and Felz.

• Is rumored to occasionally wander the world in disguise so as to experience as many worldly pleasures as they desire. Legends say that while their disguise is beautiful, their natural form is so incredibly stunning that it would drive any mortal mad to witness them.

Va'eral - God of Sickness, Injury, Pain, Health
Masculine

• The only god to physically wander the world in his natural form, and if you meet him you had better hope he is in a merciful mood. 

• The most fickle of the gods, it is impossible to tell when he will appear or what his intentions are.

• Son of Da'ans. He was born when she removed her pain and anguish from herself after her fight with Sa'arkam began and gave it a physical form so that it could no longer cloud her judgement.

• Is known to spread plagues when bored.